Emerging in the late 19th century, the Ouija board is considered one of the most effective methods for communicating with the spirit world. To play the game, participants use a Ouija Board, which consists of a heart-shaped planchette and a board marked with letters, numbers, and the words “yes” and “no.” Through this board, players pose questions and request a “supernatural entity” to provide answers to their pressing concerns. The unique element of this game lies in the fact that after placing their hands on the planchette, players can witness it moving on its own to spell out meaningful responses without any physical interference.
Recognizing the potential of this intriguing game, filmmakers quickly began to exploit and transform it into chilling cinematic experiences. There have been numerous successful films that utilize this haunting material, including Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016), Ouija (2014), Paranormal Activity (2007), Witchboard (1986), and The Exorcist (1973).
1. Ouija: Origin Of Evil (2016)
Released on October 28, 2016, Ouija: Origin of Evil was critically acclaimed as one of the brightest entries in the supernatural horror genre of 2016. The film revolves around the eerie occurrences in the home of a widow, Alice Zander. Set in 1965 Los Angeles, after a séance gone wrong, the mother unwittingly unleashes a malicious spirit. Subsequently, her youngest daughter Doris becomes possessed by this evil entity, which begins to wreak havoc on other family members.
2. Ouija (2014)
Released around Halloween two years prior, Ouija grossed $20 million in its opening week and debuted at the top of the North American box office. True to its name, the film explores the supernatural and mysterious aspects of the Ouija board. A group of friends, unknowingly, awakens a malevolent spirit through the Ouija board. The horror begins when one girl in the group is violently attacked by a supernatural force after a séance goes awry. The group must then confront the terrifying revelations that ensue.
3. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Without needing elaborate effects or complex setups, Paranormal Activity still manages to leave audiences on edge due to its “realistic” approach. The film follows a couple, Micah and Katie, who move into a house in the outskirts of California. One day, Micah sets up a camera in their bedroom, leading to increasingly bizarre events occurring in their home, such as objects moving, doors opening, and footsteps echoing up the stairs… One of the most iconic scenes in the film involves the Ouija board that Micah brings home, which mysteriously moves on its own, leaving a chilling mark right after it is set down.
4. Witchboard (1986)
Another film that heavily utilizes the Ouija board is Witchboard, directed by Kevin S. Tenney. During a student party, Brandon Sinclair brings a Ouija board to entertain the guests. There, in front of numerous witnesses, Brandon uses the Ouija board to connect with the spirit of a 10-year-old boy named David, who has died. Chaos ensues the next day when a girl in the group becomes possessed by the spirit that the board had summoned, leading to horrifying revelations.
5. The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is a supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin. Adapted from the novel of the same name, the film tells the story of a mother who discovers that her young daughter is exhibiting strange and alarming behaviors. Worried, she takes her daughter to doctors, but all medical tests reveal nothing unusual. In reality, the girl is possessed by Pazuzu, a demon who communicates through the Ouija board.
